Oklahoma quarterbacks have the last two Heisman Trophies, and they’re off to a good start in our first in-season Heisman watch for 2019. You can check out our preseason Heisman favorites here.
1. Jalen Hurts | Oklahoma QB | Senior | Preseason: 4
Jalen Hurts’ season at Oklahoma could not have started better, as he totaled 332 passing yards and three passing touchdowns (on 20-for-23 passing) along with 176 rushing yards and three rushing scores. Through just three quarters, his 493 yards of offense were more than Kyler Murray had in any full game last season. You have to be happy for Hurts with the way he handled a tough situation at Alabama and is starting off his new opportunity right. Expect more big numbers this Saturday against South Dakota.
Season stats:
87.0% | 332 YDS | 3 TD | 0 INT
16 CAR | 176 YDS | 3 TD | 11.0 AVG
2. Jonathan Taylor | Wisconsin RB | Junior | Preseason: 1
Already named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week to open the year, Jonathan Taylor is likely going to receive that honor at least a few more times this season. As he has through two seasons, Taylor looked completely dominant while leading the Badgers to a 49-0 win over South Florida. Taylor easily could’ve had a bigger game if it wasn’t a rout, but he still recorded four touchdowns (including his first two career receiving scores). Taylor will put up monstrous numbers on the ground, but he has the skill to contribute more as a receiver this year, too.
Season stats:
16 CAR | 135 YDS | 2 TD | 8.4 AVG
2 REC | 48 YDS | 2 TD | 24.0 AVG
3. Travis Etienne | Clemson RB | Junior | Preseason: 8
Trevor Lawrence was slightly off in Clemson’s 52-14 win against Georgia Tech, but Travis Etienne looked in midseason form, showing his ability as a big-play maven. Etienne gained 205 rushing yards on just 12 attempts, and he’ll be an obvious threat to get well over 2,000 yards in 2019. The junior running back can really make a strong early-season Heisman case with a huge performance versus Texas A&M this weekend.
Season stats:
12 CAR | 205 YDS | 3 TD | 17.1 AVG
1 REC | 3 YDS | 3.0 AVG
4. Tua Tagovailoa | Alabama QB | Junior | Preseason: 3
Alabama got off to a relatively sluggish start to open their season against Duke, but Tua Tagovailoa still went 26/31 for 336 yards and four touchdowns as the Crimson Tide rolled to 28 points in the second half. Tua connected with four different receivers on his touchdowns, but Jerry Jeudy did most of the damage with ten receptions for 137 yards and a score.
Season stats:
83.9% | 336 YDS | 4 TD | 0 INT
5 CAR | 15 YDS | 3.0 AVG
5. Justin Fields | Ohio State QB | Sophomore | Preseason: 12
The overall numbers—234 passing yards, 61 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns—were very good for Justin Fields in his first college start for the Buckeyes. But the Georgia transfer had a field day hitting wide-open receivers and running through wide-open holes, so he’ll have to do it against more challenging opponents to be higher than the guys that have proven it in past seasons. This Saturday versus Cincinnati will be a tougher test than FAU.
Season stats:
72.0% | 234 YDS | 4 TD | 0 INT
12 CAR | 61 YDS | 1 TD | 5.1 AVG
*NOTE: White Wolf is not affiliated with the Heisman Trophy. This article is a staff opinion and is not an official Heisman Trophy watch.
Wow good Hurts stat.
Fields should be 2.
I think Taylor has this in the bag